Week 17 at Green Bay Packers
Even though Lions QBs threw 43 passes last week versus the Vikings, Levine Toilolo saw just one look, resulting in a 16-yard grab. He had become a bigger part of the passing attack, registering 10 receptions in the previous three games, but Detroit’s offense has had a hard time putting up points over the past month. Toilolo is a risky start at Green Bay.
Week 16 vs. Minnesota Vikings
In the loss to the Bills last week Levine Toilolo caught four passes for 28 yards, the third consecutive contest he’s been a contributor in the Lions passing attack. During that span, Toilolo has registered 10 grabs for 144 yards. While he hasn’t scored yet, the TE is receiving looks from Matthew Stafford. Minnesota’s defense shut down the Lions aerial game in the meeting earlier this season, so he is a risky start on Sunday.
Week 15 at Buffalo Bills
After posting a career-high 90 yards in Week 13, Levine Toilolo followed that up last week with two grabs for 26 yards. With Matthew Stafford passing for only 101 yards, none of the pass catchers had good days in the win at Arizona. Stafford remains limited on options, especially with WR Bruce Ellington nursing a sore hamstring, so Toilolo may be worth a look if you’re needing a TE.
Week 14 at Arizona Cardinals
Matthew Stafford may have found a new favorite target in the loss to the Rams last week. TE Levine Toilolo was targeted six times, resulting in four snags for a career-high 90 yards. The six-year pro has just 10 grabs on the season, but with the Lions limited on pass catchers, could be utilized more during the final month. Toilolo will be facing a good Cardinals pass defense on Sunday but he’s a QB’s red zone dream at 6’ 8”.
Fantasy Upside
The only upside with Levine Toilolo is that he'd be the starter if Austin Hooper were to fall victim to injury. Toilolo is 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, so he has the size to be a red zone threat. That said, Hooper is in entrenched following the departure of Jacob Tamme.
Fantasy Downside
Toilolo caught only 13 passes for 264 yards a year ago. He's primarily a blocking tight end, and even if Hooper were to get injured, it's unlikely Toilolo would become a key piece in the Falcons passing game.
2017 Bottom Line
Toilolo ranks as our TE50 heading into the season. He has virtually zero fantasy appeal, even if he were to see significant snaps in the passing game. Leave him off your draft boards.
Super Bowl vs. New England
Levine Toilolo was targeted twice in the Falcons' 44-21 victory over the Packers in the NFC Championship Game. He caught one of those passes for just five yards and now has three catches for 31 yards in two playoff games. Austin Hooper is the Falcons' tight end to own in DFS play, although Toilolo does have two touchdowns this season. Atlanta doesn't use its tight ends much, so it's hard to get a sense of whether or not Hooper or Toilolo will play any sort of role in Super Bowl 51. That said, Hooper is still the better bet.
NFC Championship vs. Green Bay
Levine Toilolo caught two-of-four targets for 26 yards in the Falcons' 36-20 win over the Seahawks in the Divisional round. Toilolo could have had a touchdown had he not dropped a pass inside the 10-yard line in the second half. That said, the Falcons don't use their tight ends much and if you're looking for a dart throw for your DFS league, Austin Hooper is a better risk. Toilolo ranks as our TE6 for Championship Sunday, while Hooper ranks as our TE4.
Divisional Round vs. Seattle
Levine Toilolo caught one-of-three targets for 18 yards in the Falcons Week 17 win over the Saints. He caught three passes for 69 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks in Week 6, but he's nothing more than a dart-throw for this weekend's playoff matchup with Seattle. Ranked as our TE12 for the Divisional round, we would avoid Toilolo (and all Atlanta tight ends for that matter) this Saturday.
Week 16 at Carolina
Levine Toilolo caught his lone target for a 30-yard reception in the Falcons' Week 15 win over the 49ers. With Austin Hooper out with a knee injury, Toilolo will be the Falcons' starting tight end on Saturday when they visit the Panthers, but he has no fantasy appeal. Ranked as our TE26 for Week 16, avoid Toilolo in all fantasy formats.
Week 5 vs. Washington
Despite Jacob Tamme sitting out with a concussion, Levine Toilolo wasn't targeted in the Falcons Week 4 win over the Texans. Seeing as how Atlanta exploded for 48 points, it tells you all you need to know about Kyle Shanahan's tight end usage that Toilolo didn't even receive a target. No Falcons tight end is worth an add in fantasy.